Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister and his officials. I am also a delegate to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, PACE. The Minister made two addresses to our recent plenary meeting. There was great recognition of the role of the Minister and his officials in respect of the assistance provided to Ukraine since 24 February 2022.

We are discussing traditional weapons but the Russians are now weaponising things such as food, energy and information technology to pull in many more countries. How is this new way of war changing the perspective or the approach of the Minister’s Department and within Europe regarding how to manage this aspect? The damage being wrought is horrific. The people of Ukraine are at the most danger of suffering from that damage and many of them have lost their lives. The damage inflicted, however, through weaponising energy and food is also going to be significant beyond the borders of Ukraine. Coming back to the point made by Deputy Richmond, regarding confidence concerning rebuilding Ukraine, I endorse his point. Given our experience with the Criminal Assets Bureau, CAB, and its success, would this not be something for Ireland to lead out on? I refer to using the proceeds of activities and funds being seized in the context of sanctions etc., to support the rebuilding of Ukraine.